International Paediatricians - New Zealand roles

Paediatricians provide specialist medical assessment and management for children and young people under 15 years of age in collaborative hospital environments across New Zealand. At Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, you'll join multidisciplinary teams delivering high-quality care for children and their families.

About the role

Paediatricians in New Zealand provide both inpatient and outpatient services, with responsibilities varying across regions and hospital settings. You'll work closely with colleagues across specialties to deliver integrated, patient-centred care, while participating in education, research, and service development.

Opportunities across Health New Zealand

Paediatricians work in secondary and tertiary hospitals, including general paediatric wards and specialised units. Clinical activities may include:

• Inpatient assessment and management, including emergency presentations
• Ward rounds and outpatient clinics
• Triaging and responding to referrals
• Care for acutely unwell children, children with chronic illness, and those with behavioural disorders
• Collaborating with caregivers, whānau (family), and multidisciplinary teams
• Teaching and mentoring registrars, house officers, medical students, and other healthcare professionals
• Participating in quality improvement initiatives, clinical audits, research, and development of clinical pathways

Starship Children's Hospital

Starship Hospital in Auckland is New Zealand's leading specialist children's hospital, providing complex medical, surgical, cardiac, and mental health services across inpatient, outpatient, day-stay, and community settings. It is home to the only Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in the South Pacific and serves as a major teaching and research centre. Specialised services include general paediatrics, medical subspecialties, blood and cancer treatment, neurology, and surgical services. National services include the Intestinal Failure Service, Paediatric Haemodialysis, and the Paediatric Congenital and Cardiac Service.

What it's like to work here

Paediatricians are respected clinical leaders, working alongside nurses, allied health professionals, and other medical specialists. You'll benefit from:

• Supportive multidisciplinary teams
• Opportunities to teach, mentor, and contribute to clinical research
• Protected non-clinical time and flexible work options
• Engagement in service development, quality improvement, and clinical pathway implementation

Call New Zealand home

Health New Zealand can support you and your whānau with relocation advice through the Health Immigration Service. Paediatricians are on Tier 1 of New Zealand's Green List, making them eligible for the Straight to Residence Visa and able to apply for residency immediately once a job offer is received.

New Zealand offers vibrant urban centres, scenic landscapes, and close-knit communities across the motu, providing diverse locations to suit your professional and personal lifestyle.

Salary, benefits and leave

Salary:

• The average salary package for Paediatricians in New Zealand is NZ $343,500.
• Packages are comprised of a base salary based on experience, plus allowances, and superannuation per the ASMS collective agreement.   

Benefits:

• You'll receive an annual continuing medical education (CME) allowance of NZ $16,000,
• paid 3-month sabbaticals every 6 years,
• your indemnity insurance covered by Health NZ,
• your professional fees and subscriptions fully reimbursed,
• complimentary visa and immigration support,
• plus a tailored relocation package to make your move, if eligible.

Leave:

• You'll get 6 weeks of annual leave,
• generous discretionary sick leave, 
• 12 public holidays, paid T1.5 + time in lieu if worked, 
• and 14 weeks paid parental leave alongside the government's 26-weeks,

Please note that actual packages are negotiated at the time of offer, reflecting your specific clinical specialty, experience level, and geographic location.

What you need to work here

To practise as a Paediatrician in New Zealand, you must be registered with the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) and hold a current Annual Practising Certificate. You will typically require an overseas qualification comparable to Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP) in Paediatrics and Child Health and meet MCNZ requirements for vocational registration.

International Paediatricians may be granted provisional vocational registration initially and must complete a period of supervised practice before applying for full vocational registration.

Working for Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora

Te Whatu Ora means “the weaving of wellness.” We are building a single, unified health system delivering equitable, high-quality care across New Zealand. Our people are at the heart of everything we do.

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse workforce. We welcome applications from all people—including Māori, Pacific Peoples, ethnic communities, disabled people, and the Rainbow community.

Our values are grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi and our commitment to health equity for Māori and all New Zealanders.

Ready to make a difference?

Our international recruitment team can guide you through application, registration, and immigration processes—and help you find the right place to work in New Zealand.

Apply now—and make a difference somewhere different.